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• Mazda Mazda 6 (2002 - 2007) - 2006 2.0 Loss of power,dpf light on, tcs light on 18 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  Mazda Diesel...34,500miles....taken to dealer who said the oil & filter needed changing, service due in about another 1100 miles.....their diagnostic machine told them nothing, cannot believe its oil & filter.........any ideas?? they have charged me £70 already, not inclined to trust them.....help......Barlysuger
• Volkswagen Passat (1997 - 2000) - 98 1.9 TDI Turbo maintenance 16 May 2008 (Forum)
  Hello, I've been reading a lot of information on turbo failures on cars like BMW 320D models. Just wondering is there any maintenance that needs to be carried out on turbos besides the normal oil, oil filter & fuel & air filter change. My passat has 170,000 miles on the clock and I'd like it to stay climbing gracefully without problems ;-) Thank you, Carlover
• Audi A6 + RS6 (1997 - 2004) - Is 5W-30 ok for an Audi A6 2.8 (yr 2000)? 14 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  My 2000 A6 2.8 is going for a 'tween services oil change on Wednesday at a local independent. They say they use fully synthetic 5W-30. I know this has been done to death on the site but I struggle to understand oil specifications. Is 5W-30 ok for this car ?
• Corsa 1.4 engine flooded 25 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  The starter motor engages and the lights dim when attempting to start. Suspect that water has got into the engine and perhaps causing a hydraulic lock. The oil does not appear to be contaminated with water. Is it a matter of removing the spark plugs turning the engine over to eject any water then after it is running OK change the oil. Thanks for your help folks, Dave
• Smokey Cavalier 5 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  My K-reg Cavalier has served me well for the past 7 years but when it has been on tick-over for a few minutes, or on startup sometimes, it smokes blue. It doesn't burn oil when running normally, only after standing with the engine running. Valve stem oil seals? If so, how hard is it to change them? It's always sad to leave the poor outside diners at MacDonalds coughing in a big cloud of blue smoke but it makes my young granddaughter smile.
• Renault Minute 10 May 2005 (Forum)
  Renault are advertising their "minute" service, similar to Ford rapid fit etc. Phoned them today for a price of oil and filter change - was quoted £45! When I asked how they could justify such a price, they said that the oil alone (semi synthetic) was £30 ! Even more worrying, when I first phoned, they put me through to the normal service dept - they quoted me £80!!
• Servicing 27 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  I'm inclined to leave it until it's 12 month service and then follow the advice of the FAQ on how to run in a new car (new synthetic oil and transmission oil change etc) Is a 6 month service a 'must' or are Honda jumping the gun a little? -- If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished
• Rover 820 Head Gasket 22 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  Hello All, I've Just purchased a 1993 Rover 820SLi. Oil and Coolant is leaking out of the side of the engine where the block and head meet (head gasket) Is my only option to change the head gasket (and is that all it will require...or is there more to them) to cure this problem as there is absolutely no oil and water mixing...just leaking out of the side quite severely.
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  How often should I service my BMW 320i? 27 Apr 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I've just taken the plunge and bought a three year old BMW 320i. Following your advice, I am getting the oil changed at a maximum interval of one year/10k...
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  Do Porsche dealers give discounts? 2 Jun 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I am in the lucky position of being able to consider buying a new Cayman GTS. I have a couple of questions though: - Is it realistic to expect to get...
• Citroen Dispatch 2001 1.9d non turbo - Engine won't start after major oil filter leak 16 Apr 2012 (Forum)
  There was a lot of oil on the engine near the filter and all over the underside of the sump, side of alternator and surrounding area. I checked the dipstick and it looked almost empty. After being towed home I changed the oil and filter, nothing seems to be leaking but the van still won't start up.
• audi A3 2.0 TDI 2015 184 - Audi 2.0 TDI 184 H.G issue? 2015 4 Feb 2024 (Forum)
  manual model Today it was the RED light, when i stopped the coolant was fairly well spread, all over the place under the bonnet, obviously a pressure build up, i have pics but dont know how to upload! There is slight sludge under the oil filler cap, so water is starting to mix with oil, which i assume will be HG issue, or could it possibly be oil cooler related? Would changing header tank do any good?  It doesnt seem to be a spring loaded cap, jusrt a plain screw on, on this model.
• Golf Mk5 1.4 GT TSI 170 2006 - Timing chain querie 1 Nov 2018 (Forum)
  They started it a couple of times no oil light but engine management light came on ODB error code P0343 camshaft position sensor A circuit high. Also check with RossTech scanner which shows same fault plus an intermittent engine misfire on cylinder 3 & 4 Serviced the car replacing oil, fitters also removed sump and replaced oil pickup pipe.
• Naughty dealer 17 May 2005 (Forum)
  The oil's been done, but air and fuel certainly haven't. The plugs are also to come out for a looksee and clean, and they haven't either. Who do I write to at the main dealer? It basically appears that I've had a semi-complete inspection and an oil change for £300.
• Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI - Service schedule at 40k 15 Oct 2019 (Forum)
  No service schedule is provided with the car; so what is recommended at 40k+ apart from simple oil/filter change?
• vw service light 10 May 2004 (Forum)
  i have a vw golf gti 1.8t year 2000.as i am doing the oil & filter change myself.can anybody tell me how to reset the service light.thanks.
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  Do garages try to sell unnecessary extras when you go for a service? 27 Mar 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I recently took my 2015 Ford Fiesta auto (12,000 miles) for its three-year service at our local Ford dealer. We had agreed a price for the service and...
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  Turblow 24 Jan 2009 (Ask HJ)
  My friend took her 02 reg Volvo V50 turbo diesel into a branch of a national chain of repairers for a service. It was booked in over the Internet and included,...
• Mondeo - 3 questions 15 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  Hi Guys, I've got 3 questions about my recently purchased Mondeo (it's an X-plate new shape 1.8LX) and so far im really pleased with it. First of all its done just over 38,000 miles, should I be thinking of a timing/cam belt change yet? I know in FAQ of this site it recommends a change at 40,000. Does anybody know roughly what this costs to do? Secondly, I like to change the oil every 6,000 miles on whatever car i've had in the past, used to do it on my clio every 6 months/6,000 miles.
• Any - when to 'top up' oil 15 Nov 2022 (Forum)
     The general consensus seems to be the level is OK anywhere beteen the two marks - and that is what I have always thought;  rarely adding any until it reaches the min mark.   Why would you?  If the engine is nearing an oil change, it is a waste of good oil!   The reason I'm re-visiting it is that I've noticed on several occasions on this site the arguably erroneous mindset of keeping the level at or nearly at the maximum mark all the time - completely unnecessary in my view.